As the season finishes off with a Bang! Punctured
Tyres, Bruised Ego’s and damaged racecars, Whamoe!
“She didn’t speak much English language…
She didn’t speak much anyway
She wouldn’t make love, but made good sandwich
And She poured sweet wine before we played”
With apologies to Jethro Tull, for which I
fiendishly stole the title to one of their forgotten songs subtitled: Hot
Nights in Budapest, or simply known as the track Budapest from Ye Wayback’
machine. Which Yeah, I realize is a different subject matter, but is it really?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLHLIiiqFFs
As this year’s Qatar Grand Prix had so many
plots ‘n twists, Err subplots, it seemed worthy of my Oh, so clever title,
Botta-Boom. Uhm, did somebody say Bottas?
Like in one hapless Finn smashing into an
errant wing mirror stradling the racetrack! Which apparently Alex Albon’s
Williams wing mirror falling off was a side effect of Lance Stroll’s earlier
collision with Him! Netting the Kuhnuck’ a ten second penalty.
Or three cars ultimately being taken out on a
first lap, first corner collision. Not to mention both Liam Lawson and Sergio
Perez spinning out of control. With Lawson collecting Bottas and damaging His
floor. Whilst Checo’ (Perez) saw His clutch break after His spin, causing
another unwanted retirement…
Although the lead of the race rarely seemed in
doubt. Where should one begin regarding All of the mayhem and carnage. And
who’s been Naughty or Nice, Eh?
Yet Lando Norris made things interesting on one
of the multiple restarts. But Max Blunderhead’ seemed serenely in control all
race long. But that’s before we key up the music…
As today’s “House” Band Jetro Tull’s Aqualung
seems completely apropos as the theme song for FIA President Muhammed Ben Sulayem,
“You Poor ‘Ol Sod”. As perhaps He can take solace in an afternoon cup of team,
right Jethro?
As did Ben Sulayem really tell the Formula 1
Drivers, whom just weeks ago were being hailed as Gladiators under the twelve
million lights on the Las Vegas Strip to mind their own business! Although I
suppose at least He cannot Fire the Drivers, since there wouldn’t be a Show…
As the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers Association)
has asked for clarity from Ben Sulayem in a public letter, just where does the
money they’re fined for swearing go? To which the Emirati ex-Rally Driver told
them it was none of their business! Before He fired another two employees. Sacking
senior race steward Tim Mayer and Deputy Formula 2 race director Janette Tan prior
to the Qatar weekend. And that’s without even mentioning the two other
employees who were asked to leave after bringing up a questionable future money
transferring scheme by Ben Sulayem…
Then as I’m sure everyone’s aware of, there’s
the public spat between Verstappen and George Russell, with Max calling George
Two Faced and never knowing anyone who wanted to screw somebody over so hard!
In regards to the extraordinary FIA Stewards decision to give Max a one place
grid penalty for impeding Russell during Qualifying on a cooldown lap. Taking
away Verstappen’s deserved Pole position; which for once, I’ll agree with Max. This
was ridiculous! Careful Maximilian, no swearing…
Whilst apparently “Daggers” were thrown during
the Drivers pre-race parade lap, with the Dutchman letting George know of His
displeasure with Him. Which obviously Max used as motivation as He Blitzed the
Mercedes driver into the first corner and never looked back enroute to His 63rd
Grand Prix victory.
Although I’m left wondering what Max’s real
agenda is here? And why is He focusing His energy upon the GPDA Chairman. As
does Verstappen feel that russell’s more of a threat than His “Good buddy”
Lando Norris?
While the race for second place and beyond
seemed overly chaotic, thanks in large part to a total of three safety cars
being deployed. Yet the worst part of the entire race was when brand new F1 race
director Rui Marques allowed the inappropriate use of double Yellow Flags being
waved for four laps while Albon’s wing mirror laid on-track before Bottas
obliterated it! With the carbon fibre shreds surely causing both Ferrari’s
Carlos Sainz and Mercedes Lewis Hamilton punctured tyres, ultimately effecting
their race’s outcome.
As Bloody Jense’, Sky Sports F1 Pundit Jenson
Button dryly noted. Its not a nice feeling getting a puncture at 200mph!
As I find this inexcusable! Even though I’m not
a race director, nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn…
As it was only Marque’s second ever Grand Prix
as race director. But regardless of how big or “small” this wing mirror was?
There was clearly potentially racecar damaging debris on circuit which needed
to be removed immediately!
Meanwhile McLaren is wingeing on over Lando
Norris’s penalty being too harsh for not backing off His throttle where double yellow
flags were clearly visible waving! To which I disagree, as this is probably the
only way to get the Drivers to follow the rules.
And no, I don’t know how hard it is to see
these flags at a high rate of speed, but Norris apparently was the only driver
to not do so? Since Verstappen was immediately on His radio asking if Norris
had slowed down?
Whilst I’m certain it will continue, but Daily
Telegraph F1 columnist Gary Anderson had a good point of how every driver
immediately calling in anyone else’s transgressions via in-car radio being akin
to “footballers” (soccer( taking a Dive in order to get a penalty called on
their opponents…
As the stewards were busy dolling out penalties
in Qatar, as Hamilton received two five
second penalty’s for jumping the race’s start and speeding in the pit lane.
With Lawson getting a ten second penalty for His collision with Bottas, for
example. And so it goes…
As obviously Max and George won’t be exchanging
Christmas Cards. And I don’t know who’ll be getting lumps ‘O coal in their
stockings? But it seems that more than one of our cast of F1 Merrymen and FIA
President will be disappointed this Christmas morning after Santa’s arrival!
And that was before we got to Thursday’s day ‘O
fireworks at Yas Isle, where Max, George, Chris Horner and toto Wolff kept the
volume turned up to 11!
Partial song lyrics from:
Jethro Tull’s Budapest. From the 1987 Album Crest of A Knave.
